FAQ

If you provide us with a written quote from any local competitor, we will beat it by 5%. Some general rules do apply for this program:
– the water heater units must have the same model #
– the competitor must be licensed and insured
– the quote needs to include permit cost, the full scope of services and parts that we offer as outlined in the paragraph above
– we reserve the right to decline quotes that can be deemed unreasonable

Check the pilot light. If it is off you should be able to re-light it yourself. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions first and follow the proper procedure. If the pilot light does not come on, or the water heater does not turn on, the most common causes can be: presence of air or other impurities in the gas pipe, faulty gas burner control module, or, on certain models, an activated safety thermal release device.

1 – Turn off the gas by turning the dial to ‘off’ position. (For an electric water heater, switch off the circuit breaker.)
2 – Turn off the water supply valve.
3 – If the water heater badly leaks, connect a garden hose to the drain valve on the bottom and drain it.

Gas water heaters heat the water by a gas burner. Electric water heaters use heating elements to heat the water. In traditional storage water heaters, cold water enters at the bottom of the water heater and the heated water rises to the top where it exits via the hot water discharge pipe. Tankless water heaters heat the water as it enters the unit whenever any hot water valve is turned on, which minimizes the stand-by heat lost in comparison to storage water heaters.

This is a very common issue. The first step is to consider insulating any exposed hot water piping. Gas water heaters have a “heat dial knob” on the gas burner module. Electric water heaters have the thermostat under the heating element covers. Caution: Always turn off the circuit breaker to avoid electrocution before taking off any covers. Use caution when dialing up the thermostat settings as exposure to hot water over 120F can cause scolding injuries in a very short period of time. If none of these steps resolve your issue, call a licensed plumber to properly diagnose and troubleshoot your hot water heater issue.

Usually running out of hot water means the tank capacity is too small. You can adjust your household routines by not using hot water all at once, and by running washing machine, dishwasher and taking showers in short periods of time. Should this be inconvenient, consider replacing your water heater unit with a properly-sized larger one, or have a tankless water heater installed which takes care of such issues as not enough hot water.

Some water heater noises are normal when hot metal meets cold water and due to cause the thermal expansion of tanks. Rumbling sounds can be caused by a sediment in the tank. Loud popping or banging noises can be caused by excessive pressure. Hissing and whistling sounds can be caused by excessive pressure or a faulty heating element. If you experience any strange water heater noises, it is advisable that you perform the emergency shut-down procedure described above and call a licensed plumber who can assess if your water heater noises are normal or not.

Typical gas or electric storage water heaters in most houses range between 30 to 80 gallons, in commercial settings, between 120-175 gallon tanks. Common demand type / tankless water heaters come with 2 to 5 gallons/minute capacity. If your demand is bigger, multiple units can be connected in a parallel configuration.

Storage water heaters come in various sizes. A very common size is a 40 gallon water heater – short heater dimensions are approximately 46” high, and 20” in diameter. Tall heaters are approximately 60” high and 18” in diameter. You should also allow at least 6-18” around the unit for ventilation and servicing requires space at least 30” deep and 30” wide in front of the water heater. The space should also be accessible with an adequately-wide and high passageway to enable easy removal and replacement. Typically, water heaters should be located near the points of use (kitchens, bathrooms). Gas water heaters have certain venting requirements and need to be located either next to a chimney or an outside wall so the horizontal vent duct is as short as possible. Whenever a lack of space or venting is an issue, consider installing an electric tankless water heater which are very compact.

When considering the use of energy in homes such as appliances, lighting, television, heating and air conditioning, water heating for daily use consumes about 18-25% of a typical household’s energy consumption. About half a million single family homeowners have already installed a solar water heating system with the majority of them being used for heating swimming pools. On average, these homeowners report annual energy savings of $500 the first year, with the savings slightly increasing each year thereafter as energy costs rise. Some studies show that in North America, the amount of CO2 produced by water heaters is comparable to the amount of CO2 produced by driving cars and trucks.

Here are some tips on reducing hot water-related energy consumption:
– Dial down your hot water setting to 120F which is comfortable for most uses and saves energy
– Quickly repair any faucets or valves that leak hot water
– When using a sink disposal, run only cold water through it
– Install aerators on faucets and low-flow shower heads
– Insulate at least 6 feet of the intake and hot water pipes near the water heater
– Buy Energy Star appliances (water heaters, washers, and dishwashers)
– Turn off hot water while brushing your teeth or rinsing dishes
– Maintain your water heater by regularly draining sediments that lower efficiency
– Consider a tankless water heater which reduces energy losses by up to 30%

There are four important things to consider before purchasing a water heater: type of fuel, heater type, hot water usage, and space requirements. Fuel type means deciding whether you should have a gas, electrical, or solar water heater. Heater type means you can consider an indirect water heater, tankless water heater, or one with a storage tank. Hot water usage needs will determine the size of the storage tank or the amount of gallons per minute for a tankless unit.

There are some maintenance tasks that a typical homeowner can perform such as drain a few gallons to flush away sediment. Tasks such as replacing a T/P relief valve or a sacrificial anode should be left to licensed and certified plumbers. For more details, please refer to the maintenance section of our website and feel free to call us.